Grantham court: Cannabis and equipment found in police raid

Magistrates decided a man who admitted possessing a drug with intent to supply must go to crown court for sentencing.

Nigel Christopher Batten, 33, of Harrowby Lane, Grantham, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply on May 16 last year.

Prosecuting, Daniel Pietryka told the court that police executed a search warrant at Batten’s home address and small quantities of drugs were found. They found cannabis on a worktop together with scales, a foil strip and a foil bag containing a white powder. Batten said it was glucose, which the court heard was used as a “bulking product”.

At the time Batten said the drugs were for his own use.

Mr Pietryka said a phone was found and the messages on that phone suggested drug dealing was taking place.

Batten had said he spent £20 a day on cannabis and that he made energy drinks with the glucose. He said he used the scales to weigh the drugs he had bought to make sure he was not being sold short.

Batten was represented by Sonia Bhalla but she told the court she was making no representation.

Magistrates decided they did not have the sentencing power to deal with Batten and he was sent to crown court, with a date to be fixed.